Kia Optima vs. Nissan Altima MPG

Unlike other fuel economy surveys, TrueDelta's Real-World Gas Mileage Survey includes questions about how and
where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of the Kia Optima and Nissan Altima's
where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of their
real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros

Year

Comment

2013

Many auto makers are substituting turbocharged fours for V6s because of their theoretically superior fuel economy. The Kia Optima SXL earns EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 34 highway. The similarly turbo-foured Ford Fusion comes close, 22/33. The most fuel efficient V6, in the new Honda Accord, manages 21/34 without paddle shifters, but 21/32 with them.
Trip computer numbers suggest a one-to-two mpg advantage for the Kia in real-world suburban driving--perhaps too close to call since these devices aren't terribly precise. Figure just under 20 with a heavy foot, mid-20s if you resist the temptation, and just over 30 with a very light foot and luck with the lights. All of these figures are with the engine warmed up. In cold weather, fuel economy is in the mid-teens for the first mile or two. An eco mode makes little noticeable difference in either how the car drives or its fuel economy.
These numbers don't seem particularly good? Recall that the Kia Optima SXL is a very quick car. You won't find a 274-horsepower sedan that does better without the aid of a battery pack.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros

Year

Body/Powertrain

Comment

2013

4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I46-speed shiftable automatic FWD

I find fuel economy, in mixed driving, to be on par with a V6 of comparable power. I usually get about 24 MPG in combined driving. However, on a recent road trip, I had 32 MPG on one tank. It's perhaps slightly better than the Acura TL I had, but one big bonus: the Acura required premium unleaded. On the Kia Optima, however, the manufacturer only calls for regular unleaded. Over time, that can mean a significant savings.
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2012

4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I46-speed shiftable automatic FWD

This is my biggest (and only real) complaint with the Optima. It advertises fuel economy of 22 city, 34 highway. I drive a lot (100 mile round trip daily, with more than half of it being highway miles). Admittedly, I have a heavy foot, but I regularly get about 24-25 mpg combined, with the car in ECO mode. The best tank of gas I ever got was a little over 28 mpg. (I calculate it manually, don't rely on the on-board MPG estimates, as they are always 3-5 MPG more generous than reality.)
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I'd recommend this car in a heartbeat. I honestly like this styling even more than the updates they've made since 2012. My biggest cons are the fuel economy and the lack of a manual transmission on any models other than the base model.
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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima Real Gas Mileage: Pros

Year

Comment

2013

The 2007-2012 Altima managed decent fuel economy, but the 2013 does much better. The sedan's EPA city rating is up from 23 to 27 mpg and its EPA highway rating has been bumped from 32 all the way to 38 mpg. The city figure ties the new Accord's for best of any non-hybrid midsize sedan, while the highway figure doesn't need to share the honor. How did they do it? Partly by reducing the Altima's curb weight to a compact-like 3,108 lbs., about 100 below the Accord and Camry and 300 below the new Fusion. But the MVP award likely goes to the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with an unusually wide 7:1 ratio spread. At 60 mph the four-cylinder engine spins a very relaxed 1,450 rpm. The EPA ratings for the Fusion are lower, especially in city/suburuban driving: 23/36.
see full Nissan Altima review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Nissan Altima

80 miles total commute each day, average 30mpg with a 70% highway and 30% city roads. CVT helps make that mpg count very high for a gas engine and relatively weighted sedan.
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2014

4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4CVT FWD

Since the weather gotten warmer, I have been averaging about 35 mph combined mpg which is excellent for a vehicle of this size with a 2.5L four cylinder. The Xtronic CVT transmission is key to obtaining good fuel economy. Once at cruising velocity, engine rpm stays below 1800 rpm at 70 mph and below 1500 rpm at 60 mph. I drive 80 hwy/ 20 city most of the time.
see full Nissan Altima review

2013

4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4CVT FWD

If you have a 60/40 city-hwy, then you are better off with a hybrid or in this instance a fuel sipper. The car is large, nimble with the power assist and light due to the re-design. I am averaging about 30mpg and if my hwy gets more, I am expecting a 36mpg. This is very much inline with the advertisements by Nissan.
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2013

4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4CVT FWD

I have had my 2013 Altima for 10 months and 12,000 miles. The gas mileage in this car is great. I drive 75% highway and get on average 37 - 38 miles a gallon. I can go 600 miles without any worry of running out of gas.
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I have gotten use to the CVT transmission. This transmission is set up to use the engine torque to aid in fuel economy. When you take off from a stop light, you can feel the transmission change (no shifting felt) where the engine rpm is kept low (low rpm) and engine torque pushing the car more than horsepower moving the car. For maximum horsepower, the rpm's have to rise up above 3k rpm. When the rpm is kept low, the engine is not using as much fuel, thus increasing fuel economy. The CVT does a good job at utilizing the engine's torque at low speeds (city driving) to aide in maxing fuel economy. On the highway, it varies the gear ratio's without feeling it shift. You may observe at 70 mph the rpm at 2k rpm. When needing more power or climbing steep hills, you do not feel it shift, but will observe the rpm (tachometer) rising to meet demands for the situation. It you drive it easily, maintaining speed limits, and allow the car time to increase speed, it definitely maximizes fuel economy. It you had a heavy foot and and go zipping around, then you loose economy. But driven easily with a mind on economy, I get approx 32 mpg in this car on the highway and around 25-26 city. If I'm driving "in a hurray" so to speak, I lose about 5-6 mpg all around.
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Car now has just over 1500 miles on it. Tanks of gas have ranged from 21.7 MPG to 27.1 MPG. Hoping for more consistency as drivetrain continues to break in
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2008

4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I46-speed shiftable CVT FWD

the highway fuel economy is rated at 45mpg imperial gallon. it does not even get close im lucky to get 32 to 33.5 mpg
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2007

4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V66-speed shiftable CVT FWD

Fuel economy is not bad, but with gas approaching 4 dollars a gallon, and Nissan recommending premium fuel, it still hurts a bit. Update: I just burned my first tank of regular and could tell no difference at all. (No premium or midgrade available.)
see full Nissan Altima review